Read More

Rahul moved to England eight years ago (Image: Mark Bourdillon/Love Productions (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE PUBLICITY 1)

How did he learn to bake?

Rahul only started baking when he moved to the UK.

"Even as a child, rather than watching sports, I enjoyed watching cookery shows. I never baked when I was in India. My baking journey began in the UK about five years ago when I was feeling lonely.

"The first cake I made was about two years ago, when my parents visited the UK for the first time."

Why did he apply for Bake Off?

Rahul didn’t bake until he moved to England.

“Even five years ago I really had no idea about The Great British Bake Off,” he says. But one of his colleagues who knew he loved baking encouraged him.

“He kept sending me the application link, until I said to him that I have started applying,” he says.

"Colleagues I knew during my PhD don’t have a clue that I can bake. Back in India I didn’t bake either,” he said. “All of them and actually myself are surprised that I made it into the tent."

Rahul's signature bake

"My colleagues love my lemon drizzle cake and its cousins like lemon and cardamom drizzle cake, or lemon and elderflower drizzle cake - they like them a lot."

Rahul in Week 1

Week One Rahul’s selfie biscuit for Biscuit Week caused trouble when Paul praised him for capturing his “chubby little face”.

People weren’t impressed with his choice of words standing up for Rahul. Viewers were also big fans of Rahul Skyping his parents with former contestant Tamal Ray saying: “Oh my god I could watch a whole show about Rahul Skyping his parents!

“'You need to shave your beard'.”

Rahul in Week 2

In Cake Week Rahul got a better deal when Paul Hollywood gave him a handshake for his showstopper. Hollywood claimed it was the first time he’d ever given one of his Hollywood Handshakes for a showstopper. Rahul took star baker too.

Rahul, who received a Hollywood handshake, was made Star Baker for a second time (Image: Supplied by WENN)

Rahul in Week 3

One of the biggest themes of the show is Bread Week , but Rahul didn't melt under pressure as he won star baker for the second time! His mango chutney Chelsea buns were 'perfect' and Paul has called him 'a little genius'.

Rahul in Week 4

Having already scored star baker the past two weeks, Rahul went into Dessert Week hoping to make it three. But he rolled his roulade the wrong way and ran out of sauce to melt his chocolate bombe dessert leaving him missing out on star baker to Dan.

Rahul in Week 5

Spice Week came halfway through the series and there was no stopping Rahul, he is continuing to sail through the weeks with his apologies and got himself yet another Hollywood handshake for his ginger cake.

Rahul in Week 6

Rahul has well and truly established himself as Paul's favourite now with a fair amount of Hollywood handshakes under his belt. He got off to a great start in Pastry Week with his mum's samosas and yet another handshake.

Rahul in Week 7

Rahul wins first place in the technical with his delightful vegan meringue in Vegan Week. He added too much drizzle in his showstopper though and as a result his vegan celebration cake collapsed.

Rahul in Week 8

His luck changed dramatically in Danish Week when he came last in the Technical and his Signature and Showstopper's were raw and a hot mess. He was all set to leave but the judges gave him a second chance and chose Manon to leave instead.

Rahul in Week 9

Rahul whipped up some doughnuts, with a good rise and extravagant decoration. He struggled more with the stone baked pitta, but pulled it out of the bag with his showstopper garden complete with vertical piping.